Road Safety Regulations: Exploring Laws And Rules To Prevent Accidents On The Roads

Road accidents are a leading cause of death all over the world. Data shows that each year 1.35 million die due to injuries sustained in road accidents. This means a death every 24 seconds. Deaths caused by road accidents are skewed toward specific demographics. It is the number one cause of death among people aged between 5 and 29. Half of all the deaths on the road are people aged between 15 and 44 years and the majority are men.

The number has decreased in developed countries like the US and Canada, where road traffic deaths have decreased by 27% and 63% respectively. However, for most developing countries the number has gone up significantly. Road deaths increased by 44% in China and 243% in Malaysia. 

These are staggering figures and why road accidents have been called a preventable epidemic. Developing and implementing stringent road safety measures is the most effective way to decrease road accidents. Road safety regulations help to keep everyone on the road safe and when followed correctly can save countless lives. Read on and discover more about road safety regulations and how they ensure safety for people using roads. 

How Road Safety Regulations Prevent Accidents

Here are some basic road safety regulations and how they prevent road accidents:

Wearing Seat Belts

Cars make up the majority of the motor vehicles on the road. They are also quite deadly in case of a collision since the robust body of the car can seriously hurt those onboard. Physical trauma is also caused as people are displaced at high speeds. Passengers may even get thrown out of the vehicle. 

This is why wearing seat belts is so important. Wearing a seat belt keeps the passengers and driver in their place. This may help prevent serious injuries by absorbing the shock of a collision and reducing the extent of damage caused.
Abiding Speed Limits

Most deaths occur due to high-speed collisions. Over-speeding can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle and result in a crash. Speed limit regulations are based on specific stretches of the road. Going beyond, and in some cases below, the legal speed limit can be hazardous. 

Defining speed limits is a great way to monitor and control the flow of traffic and prevent accidents. Speed limit regulations exist for highways, sparsely populated, densely populated, and sensitive areas. 

Laws Preventing Distraction

Most countries have road regulations that require motorists to pay full attention while on the road. These prohibit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones while driving. Using a cell phone to call or text someone can be very dangerous as it takes attention away from the road.

It also slows down reflexes so drivers can act quickly to prevent an accident. This is why distracted driving laws impose fines and other penalties on drivers caught calling or texting while driving. This helps to keep everyone on the road safe.

Law Against Driving Under The Influence

Using substances, whether legal or illegal, can impair cognitive functioning. This is why driving under the influence is strictly prohibited. Once psychoactive substances kick in,they can seriously affect decision-making, judgment, and motor skills. 
Alcohol, for example, is a depressant that relaxes the mind to the extent that the user may make poor decisions. Getting behind the wheel while under the influence is a criminal offense as it endangers the life of everyone on the road. 
Each year motorists under the influence kill thousands due to poor decision-making. Preventing people from getting on the road while under the influence can reduce road accidents significantly. 

Child Safety Measures

While wearing a seat belt can be a lifesaver, having a seat belt is not enough for children. Parents must put children in car seats in many countries until a certain age. The car seat keeps children safe and snug. It also prevents children from experiencing trauma as car seats are robust enough to absorb shock. 

Vehicle Upkeep And Repair

Road rules do not simply apply to the behavior of the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians; some rules also specify the type of vehicles allowed on the road. Vehicle owners must keep their vehicles well-maintained by getting timely repairs, changing the oil, getting the tuning done, and so on.

Cars, trucks, buses, and even motorcycles that are not up to the standard can result in a fine. For example, riding a truck with a broken backlight may lead to a heavy fine.These rules will force vehicle owners to keep their vehicles in good running condition. This again

reduces the chance of accidents and subsequent damage that may result. 

Traffic Lights Regulations

Traffic lights are another basic measure that keeps the roads safe. Following traffic light regulations is not just for motorists but applies to pedestrians. 
Traffic lights enable the smooth flow of traffic in all directions by letting people on the road know when to move and when to wait. This turn-taking helps to maintain discipline and keep the traffic moving. 

Maintaining Lane Discipline

Regulations also define which side of the road vehicles can use and which lane they should be in. There is a certain speed within each lane so vehicles traveling at greater speeds can be in the high-speed lane while those going at a slower pace can be in their lane and not disrupt the traffic flow. 

Some rules specify how motorists can change lanes or overtake other vehicles. Following these rules reduces the chances of road accidents as everyone knows and follows them. When people follow road etiquette, road accidents are less likely as these are predictable behaviors and are not causes of alarm. This predictability makes navigating the roads safer and easier. 

Optimizing Road Safety

Road safety is never 100% guaranteed. Unforeseen circumstances may occur and these can lead to road accidents. However, following road safety regulations greatly reduces the risk of such accidents. Following road rules require people to behave responsibly, which is

critical to keeping everyone on the road safe. 

Aside from road safety regulations, additional precautions can also be implemented. These include choosing vehicles that maximize safety, like cars with airbags and back cameras.

 
Other safety regulations include wearing helmets for motorcyclists or following the weight limits for transportation trucks. Implementing safety regulations and taking additional precautions is the best way to prevent road accidents.